CCL: Bush Helps Impact Secure Draw; Banned for Leg 2

Former Cape Cod Crusader goalkeeper Evan Bush stopped eight shots to steer the Montreal Impact to a 1-1 draw against LigaMX side Club America in Wednesday’s first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final at historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Bush, who played every match for the now-defunct Crusaders in 2008, stopped a point blank effort from Martin Zúñiga in the 91st minute to preserve the draw.

Following the match, the Impact confirmed that Bush was issued a late yellow card, and as a result, is suspended for the second leg of the final at Olympic Stadium. The club will appeal the ban.

Ignacio Piatti put the Impact up early when he directed a Dominic Oduro pass in the 16th minute. The guests thwarted the America during the latter stages, but their ragged form allowed Oribe Peralta to snap a Rubens Sambueza free kick through to level it in the 89th minute.

America outshot Montreal 28-4, and the Impact were forced to make an alarming 39 clearances against their Mexican opponent.

Bush was also forced to make an acrobatic save in the 21st minute when Sambueza blasted a shot toward the left upper 90.

The draw was only the fifth time in 24 tries that an MLS team has taken a result in Mexico during CONCACAF Champions League knockout round.

The second leg of the final will take place on Wednesday, Apr. 29 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Kickoff is set for 8:00pm.

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About Brian O'Connell

Brian O'Connell (@BrianOConnell21) serves as editor and staff writer at New England Soccer Today. He's also the Revolution beat writer for ESPNFC, and is Officer at Large for the North American Soccer Reporters. He's contributed to The Associated Press, The Canadian Press, and has been featured on MLSSoccer.com & RevsNet.com. E-mail: BOConnell21@aol.com